About us

Shale Gas refers to the Natural Gas trapped within the sedimentary Shale rock formations and is found abundantly in many regions of the World. Recent advances in technology such as horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have meant that access to this valuable resource is now viable.

Nick Grealy, principal and publisher of No Hot Air since 2008 has been highlighting the sudden emergence and predicting a future permanence of secure, scalable and affordable gas supply from the start, at a time when most of the world’s energy policy was built on a view of gas as being both finite and expensive. Shale has already changed the game across the energy industry in North America. NHA believes there is room for all energy technologies – although we’re none too fond of coal or biomass. We love natural gas because it’s scalable, clean, local and quick. We are rapidly approaching a tipping point for the climate and need to act now on what will work instead of dreaming about niche products which are often expensive, ineffective and years away. We propose a global ban on coal trade as soon as possible and the replacement of coal in generation with natural gas, renewables, nuclear and energy efficiency. That may take some years, and some negotiation, but is not as fanciful a notion that we can reject all fossil fuels anytime soon.

Locally produced and regulated natural gas and oil is lower carbon than imported and enriches local economies. Refusing to access our own oil and gas simply means vulnerable habitats in the Arctic, Amazon and elsewhere will supply our energy needs. Local food is good. Why not local energy? Importing energy is exporting money, often to kleptocracies who care little about the environment, their own population and pretty far down the list, our own economic and strategic interests. Let’s keep the money at home to take care of human needs in health, education, transport and pollution reduction, but also to invest the savings in R+D on renewable technolgies more advanced than the imperfect one existing today.

No Hot Air is a trading name of No Hot Air Limited

Kingston-upon-Thames
UK
Company Registration 07542352

For those who see me (it is just litttle ol’ me), as part of a massive fossil fuel cabal, I can only say I should be so lucky. Because it is just me, it’s not unreasonable to assume that all opinions expressed here are my own.

No Hot Air aims to provide insight into current and future developments in UK and International energy markets. We aim to reflect a correct view of the current situation and potential future developments in these markets, but No Hot Air Limited cannot be held responsible if this should prove not to be the case or if any of the conclusions drawn in our products prove to be inaccurate.

No Hot Air offers consultancy services on the impact of shale gas to end users, financial institutions, regulators and throughout the oil and gas industry. We think that the impact of the shale gas revolution needs to be understood by a wider audience than conventional energy experts, the majority of whom came late to the shale game and still predict shale’s future using outdated viewpoints. Simply put, we think that many energy experts prefer to make good money spinning out problems instead of offering solutions. Good news and energy haven’t been used in the same sentence for some time. That needs to change. We think one of the biggest energy risks most people have is that they have been talked into believing that they have one.

Nick Grealy, principal and publisher of No Hot Air since 2008 has been highlighting the sudden emergence and predicting a future permanence of secure, scalable and affordable gas supply from the start, at a time when most of the world’s energy policy was built on a view of gas as being both finite and expensive. Shale has already changed the game across the energy industry in North America. Even today, electricity production using nuclear, large-scale renewables and Coal Carbon Capture and Storage are centrepieces of UK energy policy, but not for much longer.

No Hot Air refers to No Carbon. We think the scientific consensus for human caused global warming is compelling. But we see the hoax lying in how much we are expected to pay to avoid it. Gas represents an immediate, secure and low cost option to replace coal in generation. Official UK government statistics highlight how total UK carbon could be reduced by 30% by 2020 by replacing coal with clean and low cost gas. Similarly, a switch to increased natural gas vehicles in the freight transport sector could see a further 10 % drop in total emissions, again, with little investment. Improvements in efficiency and emerging technology such as LED lighting can then reduce demand and emissions by at least another 10% bringing us to a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030 for little or no investment.

Natural gas can be a bridge fuel to a low or no carbon future. At the same time, local energy is sustainable energy that enriches local communities. Natural gas thus provides a triple win for the planet as a whole, local communities and all energy users.

UK based but with a global scope, No Hot Air provides information on various energy issues but especially in the global implications of shale gas.

More about Nick

Nick Grealy is director of the energy consultancy No Hot Air, specialising in public perception and acceptance issues of shale energy worldwide. Born in the UK, Nick moved to New York City in his teens and lived in the United States for over two decades.

BBC Newsnight

A graduate of New York University, Nick’s US based career included working for utility Con Edison, Chase Manhattan Bank North African Finance and the City of New York Home Energy Assistance Program.

BBC News

He returned to the UK and started a career in the UK energy industry at London Electricity, Total Gas Marketing, Energy Quote and Utilities Specialist for the Department of Health.

Sky News

Describing himself as a “recovering energy consultant” who thinks the worst energy risk is getting talked into thinking you have one, he started following the shale energy revolution in 2008.

Parliament Committee

He has worked for private and public clients across Europe and is a frequent contributor to media while continuing to publish analysis of energy acceptance issues at www.nohotair.co.uk